“How far should LED grow lights are from indoor plants?” This is a question I get asked a lot from indoor gardeners, and their answer varies. The most basic answer to the question is “as long as they get the proper amount of light”. I get all kinds of answers, such as “use a timer”, “mate the lights”, etc. However, none of these answers really address the question in my mind: what should you be looking for when you go shopping for indoor gardening lighting?
LEDs are fairly new on the market, and the debate about indoor gardening lighting should not include them. Why? Because no one yet knows how well LEDs will handle the heat that plants naturally generate. And no one knows whether or not the light provided by LEDs will be sufficient enough to do the job they’re looking for.
How far should LED grow lights are from indoor plants? Well, let’s first take a look at what you’re trying to accomplish with your indoor gardening. Indoor plants are used in indoor gardening because they tend to require less light than their outdoor counterparts do. That’s why many indoor gardening enthusiasts prefer indoor plants to outdoor plants. You may also use indoor plants to supplement your natural light.
You should start by looking for plants that require less light. These plants are typically called “high maintenance” plants, meaning that they don’t need nearly as much artificial light as other indoor plants do. By keeping this criterion in mind, you can cut down on the amount of artificial light your indoor plants need to endure.
Once you have narrowed your choices down to indoor plants only, you can start looking into the different types of grow lights available. LED and halogen lights are two common types of grow lights. Both are relatively inexpensive when compared to HID or high-pressure sodium bulbs. While they both have their pros and cons, they are both worth considering if you have limited space or indoor gardening needs. Also, keep in mind that while LED and halogen lights are more expensive than standard fluorescent bulbs, they also last longer than standard fluorescent bulbs, so in the long run, you might save money using LED grow lights versus regular lights.
Another important factor to consider is the space you have available for indoor gardening. If you don’t have enough space for an indoor garden, then you will want to consider other options, such as hydroponic systems or even raised beds. Even though LED grow lights take up less energy than traditional lights, it’s still important that you account for the amount of energy required to operate your indoor gardening system. If you’re growing plants that you will not see, such as herbs, then you might not need a very high wattage bulb, so pay attention to wattage requirements when comparing indoor garden lighting options.
One of the most popular styles of indoor gardening today is hydroponics. Hydroponics is a great way to grow indoor plants because it uses artificial light, but it does require a bit of maintenance and upkeep. Unlike outdoor garden lighting options, it’s important that you install an artificial light source with a good lamp for circulating air and keeping your plants well-lit. You’ll also need to clean your lights regularly to make sure no dust or dirt particles are getting into the lamps, which can lead to overheating can kill your plants if enough water isn’t circulated to cool the plants down. You should also pay close attention to your watering techniques; since you’re indoor garden system doesn’t get exposed to the elements like outdoor garden lighting does, you’ll need to water less often to avoid stressing your plants.
Another common question about indoor gardening is how far should LED grow lights be from plants? To answer this question, you need to think about the type of light you’re using to generate the light, and how it will impact the plant. For instance, if you’re using HPS or HGA lights, the bulbs in your system are always red or green, so they only “bounce” off of nearby plants and into the air. If you’re using LED lights, they’ll actually absorb some of the heat from the plant it is trying to heat, so an LED grow light will be warmer than a standard bulb since the light will be absorbing energy from the plant itself.